THE ACTION OF STREPTOLYSIN S ON PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTES OF NORMAL SUBJECTS AND PATIENTS WITH ACUTE RHEUMATIC FEVER

Abstract

Cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes show a nonspecific response to streptolysin S, similar to that found with phytohemagglutinin. This response is markedly and specifically dimished in cells from patients with acute rheumatic fever not reated with penicillin, and as might be expected, from an occasional patient with a streptococcal infection. The cells of acute rheumatics retain their ability to respond to phytohemagglutinin and specific antigens. An inherent defect is apparent in the ability to neutralize strepotolysin S when exposed to this substance in vivo, and that this agent then remains free to cause tissue damage.